Traffic signal



Jamo' 2 lill Nim! 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 J. E. KENNEDY. TRAFFlc SIGNAL. FILEDAue. 20. 1921 Jam 2, 31923,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 FILED Aue.

Nm am m A mm. E :mm i w IIN w @e J um mw dan Z? 1923 er une e Frs we enu e u L ss. as; L in n. mi Le) Application led August 20, 1921.

To l/ vri/71.0721. 'it may Concern llc it known that l, .loi-rn E.KENNEDY. a citizen oi the `United States. residing at vton. in thecounty ot li/lontge nery and tate et Chio., have invented certain nevvand usetul improvements in 'lratlic Signals. ot which the jollo'n'ing isa speciiication, Vreference being-z` had therein to the accomj anjf'ingdrawing.

'.lhis invention relates to trattic signals tor automobiles and thelike.

@ne object ot the invention is to provide a signal which will beconcealed trom view when not in use.

.another ob'ect-oit the inventiffn is to provide a simple efficientoperating mechanic-1m means ot which either or both ot tivo "ialsmounted on opposite sides ot the automohile can be operated.

@ther objects ot the invention will appear as the mechanism is describedin detail.

ln the accompanying drawings7 '.liig. 1 a side elevation ot a portion otan antonio bile body partly broken away. show r the invention appliedthereto; Fig. 9. is a transverse section taken on the line l- 2 ot' Fig.1.; .ll is a vertical section ot the hou."- ing shovvin; the indicatingdevice in eleva-l tion; .if Li is a horizontal section ot the housingshowing the -incicatingc device in plan; Fig. 5 is a, plan view partlyin section ot the controlling device.; lira'. 6 is a sectional detail`vie-vv ot one ot the locking pins; 'T is transversal sectional view otthe controlling device taken on the line ".-T or" Fig. 6; l? 3 is detailview ot' the double rock arm tor actuating the locking means; and Fig. 9is a detail view ot the connection between the shaft carrying the doublerock arm and the manually actuating device on the steering column.

ln these drawings l have illustrated one embodiment of my invention. andhave shown same as applied to the body ot anv automobile which isprovided in one or both sides, in the present instarne7 in both sides,with recesses or pockets to receive the signal. As here shown each Wallot the body has tormed therein an openingQ and has mounted therein, inalinement with the opening, a housing, 3 anc 3, in each ot Which ismounted a signal and an extensible supporting device therefor. rlhesignal itself may be ot various kinds and the supporting device may beot any Suitable char# Serial No. 493,827.

acter which Will support the signal normally Within the housing and Willproject the saine beyond the side ot the automobile such a distance thatit rwill be clearly visible to persons in either the trent or rear otthe automobile. As here shown, the signal connL "ises a hollow structure4c, having its iront and rear sides of translucent material and havingmounted therein an electric lamp 5 which may be` connected With anysuitable source of electrical current, this eonnect-ion not being hereshown. The signal proper is mounted on the outer end oit a lazy tongs.'the inner end ot which rigidly secured to the back Wall ot the housing3, and the arrangement of the lazy tongs is such that when in its foldedposition it will support the signal Wholly Within the housing and in itsextended position Will support the signal at a point considerably beyondthe side ot' the automobile. any suitable operating mechanism may beprovided for actuating the lazy tongs. As here shown the lazy tongs, orextensible support3 is connected by a link 7 With one arm of' a bellcrank lever 8, which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 9 carried by thebottom Wall ot the housing 3. The other arm ot the bell' crank lever isconnected with an actuating rod 10 which eX- tends through the bottom otthe housing and is connected with the operating devices.

ln the present construction, in which l employ two signals, theactuating rods 10 and 10a are connected with a single controllingmechanism which comprises a shaft 11 extending transversely tothe trame12 of the automobile, having mountedl thereon a forwardly extending`crank arm 13 with which the lower end ot the actuating rod .1.0a isconnected. Rigidly secured to the shaft 11 near one end thereof is adownwardly extending arm 14, the arrangement ot arms 13 and 14. beingsuch as to constitute in effect a bell crank lever. Loosely mounted onthe shatt 11 adjacent to the arm 14 is a bell crank lever 15 having itsforwardly extending arm connected With the actuating arm 10 ot thesignalling device in the housing 3, and having its other arm arrangedsubstantially parallel with the arm 11i. The arms 11i and 15 of the twobell crank levers are acted upon by springs 16 and 17' which tend tomove the same in a direction to torce the actuating rods upwardly andextend the lazy tongs. As here shown these springs are coil springs andare connected at one end With the respective arms 16 and 17 and at theother end with fixed pins or brackets 18 carried by the frame l2.

Suitable controlling mechanism is provided to retain the signals intheir retracted posit-ions and the springs 1G andi? under tension, andto release either or both signals tov permit them to be projected by thesprings. To this endl` have in the present construction provided tivoplungers 20 and 2l: which are connected by links 22 and 23 with theiarmsld and .l of the respective bell crank levers. These plung'ers areslidably mounted in guide Ways 2e and 2.5 formed ina housing or guideblock 26 which is-mounted in the trame Each plungera and 2l, isprovided'u'fith a recess or shoulder 27, toengage a stop or locking pin28 which isheld normally' in a positionfto engage the recessor shoulderwhen ythe signal with which that plunger is connected is on itsretracted position, thus holding the spring under tension. ln thepresent instance the locking pinsare carried by bell crank` levers 29,-pivotally mounted on the guide block 26,- each having one end connectedwith, a locking pin andl itsl other end connected with an actuating rod'30 extending forwardly therefroinr rllhe two actuating rods 30v are soconnecte-d with a single operating number that either ot them may beoperated independently oft the otl-1er,'and as here shown, each rod ispro-4 videdat its forward end With a longitudinal slot 31 toreceive apin or stud 32.projecting 'from one end ot' a double crank arm The crankarm` 33 is mountedon a vertical shaft 34` and the two end portionst-hcreoit project on the opposite sides ot that sha'ft so that therota-tion ofi. the` shaft in one direction Will impart forward movementto one end ofthe crank arinthus actuating one of the rods 30 while thepin at the other end'` oi the crank arm will move rearwardly in the slotPE1.. of the other rod 30 Without et- 'footing the position ot' thatrod. The rotation of the shaft 30 is preferably effected by an operatingmember mounted adjacent to tbesteering'Wheel'and ashere show-n shaft ,isarranged }.)arallel.\vith the steering column 3 6 and is providedat itsupper endarljacent to the steeringivheel with afhandle. 37 byrneans, ofwhich it may be moved in either direction.I The shaft may. be connectedwith theshaft 34.- in any suitable 1nanner,` but as-y here shown theshaft 35 has asyfinge'r- 3,8 rigidlysecured thereto.; andextendingrbetween the. armsfot a bifurcated plate'il rigidly secured totheshaft 3e. lt Willbe apparent therefore that. when both signalsare in,their retracted, positions thel movinentbof. thev operating handle 37 inone.

direction will retract one of the pins 28 thereby releasing thecorresponding plunger and permitting that signal to be projected by itsspring and thatthe movement of the operating` handle in the oppositedirection will release the other plunger thereby permitting .the othersignal to be projected. ln thisV manner either signal may be projectedindependently ot the other by movlng the handle lst in onerdirecion andthen the othert or bot-h signals may be proe jected. ln order that theplungers 2O and 2]. may be returned to their normal positions thusretracting the signals and again placing the springs under tension. lhave in the present construction provided the guide block or housing 26in that end opposite the guide Ways 2e and 25 with a guide Way i0 whichoverlaps both the guide Ways 2e; and 25 and has slidably mounted thereina plunger el. arranged to engage either or both ot the plungers 2O and2l and force the same to their normal positions. The plunger el isconnected by connecting rod 42 with. a crank. arm e3 mounted on a shaft4H; d

on the 'trame l2 and having connected there with a foot lever a springLi6 tending to hold the toot lever normally in its retracted position.

".lfhe outer ends of the housings 3 and 3a are preferably arrangedsulfistantially flush with the outer Walls ot the automobile body andeach housing is provided with a door 47 to close the saine when thesignal is in its retracted position. This door is jifireferably hingedon a vertical anis at one side oi the opening and is acted upon by aspring 48 which tends to move itl into its open position. y The movementoit the door is controlled by abell crank lever e9 pivotally mounted onthe bottom wall of the housing and having an cultivar-illy extending armprovided with a longitudinal. slot 59 to receivc a laterally extendingprojection or pin 50 carried by a toggle one end of which is pivotallymourned Within thehousing and thc opposite end olf which is pivotallycon nected to the door at 52. lheother7 or upuf'ardly entendingn arm o'ithe bell crank lever 4S is connected with the lazy tongsand in orderthat the lazy tongs and bell crank lever may have relative movement. 'l1have formed this connection by means oit a short length oi chain 53.. itis apparent theref fore, that when the signal is released the door Willbe tree to open upon the first 'forward movement of the signal7 theopening of the doorbeing accomplished by the spring 48. `When`thevsignal is retracted the bell cranklever will not bel operated untilthe signal has been moved into the housing far enough to clear the door.As here shown, the upwardly extending arm of the b ellcrank lies in thepath of a pin 54. carried by the lazy tongs and so arranged thatinvention 1 wish it to be desir-1. to be limited as variousmodificaperson skilled in the understood tl1a i to the details thereoi ts may occur to a Saving fully described my invention what l claim nev.vand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a device ot the character :ilescribed7 movable indicator adaiitedto be mounted on the side olf an automobile, a. spring adapted to movesaid indicator in one direction, a plunger adapted to move the salve inthe cher direction, locking and releL n sans adaotcd to lic-ld saidspring under tension and means tor actuating said plunger.

2. 1n a device oi the clniracter described, movable indicator adapted tobe mounted on each side ot an automobile, individual sl :ings adapted tomove said indicators in one direction, individual plungers adapted tomove the same in the other direction, loclring and releasing meansadapted to hold said springs under tension, and means for actuating saidplungers.

3. ln a device of the character described, a movable indicator adaptedto be mounted on each side of an automobile, indivdual springs adaptedto move said indicators in one direction, individual plungers adapted tomove the same in the other` direction, locking and releasingmeansadapted to hold said springs under tension and to release said springsindividually. and means 'tor actuating said plungers.

4.. ln device ot' the (':haracter described, a movable indicatoradaijited to be mounted on each side ot :in automobile, iinlii'idualsprings adapted to move said indicators in one direction, individualplungers adapted to move the saine in the other direction, locking andreleasing means adapted to hold said springs under tension and torelease said springs individually, means tor actuating said plungers,and common actuating means tor said locking and releasing means.

5. 1n a device of the character described, a movable indicator adaptedto be mounted on each side oit an automobile, springs adapted to movesaid indicators in one direction, individual plungers adapted to movethe same in the opposite direction against the tension of said springs,al common plunger adapted to actuate either oi said individuel plungers,and releasing means :for said plungers.

6. ln a device 01"* the character described, a movable indicator adaptedto be mounted on each side of an automobile, springs adapted to movesaid indicators in one direction, and

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individual plungers adapted to move the same in the opposite directionagainst the tension oit said springs, a common plunger adapted toactnate either oi said individual plungers, releasing means Yfor saidplungers, and a common guide 'for all oli' said plungers also acting asa support for said releasing means.

in a device ot the character descril'ied, a housing to be mounted onvehicle body, a signal, an extensible support to support said signalnormally within said housing, an actuating rod connected with saidextensible support and extending through the -vali of said housing, aspring acting on said rod to move the same in a direction to projectsaid signal, 'a lockingdevice to hold said rod against movement by saidspring, and means for actuating said locking device to release said rod.

8. 1n a device ot the character described, a housing to be mounted on a.vehicle body, a signal, an extensible support to support said signalnormally within said housing, an operating rod connected with saidextensible support, a spring acting on said rod to proliect said signal,a struct-ure having a guide Way, a plunger' slidably mounted in saidguide Way and connected with saidoperating rod, a locking member carriedby said structure and adapted to engage said plunger to hold saidoperating rod against movement by said spring, and means to actuate saidlocking member to release said plunger.

9. ln a device of the character described, a housing to be mounted on avehicle body, a signal, an extensible support to support said signalnormally Within said housing, an operating rod connected with saidextensible support, a spring acting on said rod to pro- -iect saidsignal, a structure having a guide Way, a plunger slidably mounted insaid guide Way and connected With said operating rod, a locking membercarried by said structure and adapted to engage said plunger to holdSaid operating rod against movement by said spring, means to actuatesaid locking member, a second plunger slidably mounted in said structureand arranged to engage the first mentioned plunger when the latter hasbeen moved from its normal position, and means for actuating said secondplungert l0. 1n a device ot the character described, housings adapted tobe mounted on the opposite sides of a. vehicle body, a signal mounted ineach of said housings, an eXtensible support mounted in each of saidhousings and adapted to support said signals normally in tbe respectivehousings, an operating rod connected With the extensible support ot eachsignal, bell crank lever connected With the respective opera-ting rods,springs acting on the respective bell crank levers to cause the sionalsto be projected, independently controlled means tor holding the.respective operatingi'ods against movement by said springs, and ineansfor actuating); said rods to retract said signals..V

ll. ln a device of the character described, housings adapted to bemounted on the opposite sides or a vehicle body, a signal mounted ineach` oi said housings, an extensible support mounted in each of said'housings and adapted to support said signals normally in the respectivehousings, an. operating; rod connected with the extensible support ofeach signal, a bell crank lever` connected with the irespectivevoperating; rods, springs acting; on the respective bell crank levers tocause the signals to beprojected, a guide blocl; having' `guide Waystherein, a plunger mounted in Yeach guide Way` and operatively;connected with one of said bellcranlr levers. ,loclrinn device. carriedby said ,guide block and arranged tonengage the respective planners intheirnormal position and hold saidbell crank levers against movenient'by said springs, means for inf dependently7 actuating,- said Melting'devices.

, and means 'for restoringv said plungerr-s to their norinal.positions..

12.111 ay device ofthe character described,- housings adaptedtobe-inountedon the opf posite sides of a vehicle body, ,a sig-nalmountedinreach of said housings, an e3:-

tensible support mounted in each of said housings and, adapted tosupport said signals normally in the respective, housings, an

oirierating rod connected Withtlie extensible.

Ysupport of each signal, belLcrank lever connected with the respective`operating rods. springs acting; on the respective bell crank levers tocause the signalsk to bek projected, a: guidev block having parallelguide Ways at one end thereof, anda single` ggnide wayA at the other endthereof, plunger-s slidably mounted in said parallelV guideways andoperatively connected with the respective bell crank levers,.each ofsaid plungers havingy ayshoulder, locking members Inovablv mounted onsaid guide block and adapted to engage the shoulders ot the respectiveplunger-s, a single operating device for independently controlling saidlocking members, aplunger slidably mounted in the last mentioned guideWay in said guide block and arranged to engage either or both of theirst mentioned plungers, and :means ilo'r actuating said last mentionedplunger. l` 13, in a de 7ice of the character described, a movablesignal, a spring to project said signal, a retracting device connectedwith said signal toinove the saine against the action et said sprinq, adetent acting on said retracting device vto hold said spring,` undertension, means to actuate said detent to release said retractinp;device, and ineans for actuating said retracting device to` again placesaid spring' under tension andretract said signal.

14. ln a device of the character described, a plurality of signals,springs to project said sigjfnalaindividual devices to retract saidsignals against 'the actionlot the respective spriinrs.v and singledevice to actuate either or both ot said individual devices.

ln a device ot thecharacter described, a plurality of signals, springsto project said signals, means toindividually control the action ot saidsprings on said signals, retractino; devices tor the respective signals,and a common actuating device for said retracting devices. l V` 16. ln adevice ot the character described, a plurality ot signals, springs toproject said signals, individual devices to retract said signals againstthev action. oiethe respective detents cooperating With. said redevicesto reta` in the signals in their retrac.-

detents tol release said devices, and a coininon. actuating device `forsaid retracting de-k JOHN n. ilrnnnnnr.

ed positions., ineans to actuate said'

